via dw.com
An extensive review by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that included over 500 carcinogens found that the top 10 causes of cancer in India are:
1. Tobacco
2. Areca nut (supari)
3. Betel quid (paan)
4. Viral infections
5. Air pollution
6. Alcohol
7. Coke production
8. Radioactive agents
9. Dust
10. Iron ore mining
Thanks to the top three carcinogens, oral cancer is the most prominent form of cancer in India. In fact, tobacco (in all its forms - chewing, smoking and passive smoking) accounts for 30% of all the cancer cases in India. Viruses are another major cause of cancer. Most people don't realise that viruses can cause cancer, however the human papillomavirus (HPV) causes cervical cancer in women whereas the hepatitis B virus (HBV) can cause liver cancer in men and women.
For the rest of the world, tobacco is the leading cause of cancer as well, but supari and paan are not on the list!
via bbj.hu
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco use is the most important risk factor for cancer causing around 20% of global cancer deaths and around 70% of global lung cancer deaths. Viral infections are the next deadly threat, with HPV and HBV accounting for up to 20% of cancer deaths in low- and middle-income countries.
Here are the other causes of cancer listed by the WHO:
• Physical carcinogens, such as ultraviolet and ionising radiation.
• Chemical carcinogens, such as asbestos, components of tobacco smoke, aflatoxin (a food contaminant) and arsenic (a drinking water contaminant).
• Biological carcinogens, such as infections from certain viruses, bacteria or parasites.
